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Australia’s first-born cheetah has been released into the wild with a touching moment of freedom captured on video.
The Wild Cat Conservation Center released Edie into the African savanna last week, saying she has been destined for this moment her entire life.
Footage shows the majestic creature emerging from its box and moving slowly across the grass at the Mziki Private Game Reserve, near Johannesburg, South Africa.
Ben Britton and his wife Kahlia, who spent more than $100,000 on the momentous occasion, said it was a bittersweet milestone after months of planning.
The first cheetah born in Australia has been released into the wild with a touching free moment captured on video.
“Anything can happen and we understand that, but seeing her come out, knowing that we’ve given her the best possible opportunity to have the best life possible, we couldn’t be more proud,” Britton said. The Daily Telegraph.
‘She had so much wildness in her from the moment she was born, which was just right.
“The moment it came out of the box, it looked like it had lived in Africa its whole life.”
The couple cares for more than 16 feral cats, including Edie’s parents, Duke and Emmy.
They have over 20 years’ experience working with ‘feral cats’ and established the conservation center in the Hawkesbury region of New South Wales in 2016 to better understand and protect them.
The conservation center shared a statement on social media following Edie’s release, which said the goal now is for more cheetahs to follow in her footsteps.
The Wild Cat Conservation Center released Edie into the wild last week, saying she has been destined for this moment her entire life.
The conservation center shared a statement on social media following Edie’s release, which said the goal now is for more cheetahs to follow in her footsteps.
“We are proud to announce that we have become the first organization in Australia to return a captive-born cheetah to the wilds of Africa,” he said.
‘Our beautiful Edie has experienced a gradual return to nature, with carefully laid plans to ensure her success.
‘He began his preparations here at the Wild Cat Conservation Centre, where he underwent physical development, dietary changes and support while honing his predatory skills.
“This gradual rebuilding allowed Edie to sharpen her wild instincts, improve her hunting skills to take down predator-aware prey, and develop her vigilance to coexist with competing predators.”